What is Engineering? Design under constraint Seek solutions for societal problems and needs Aims to produce the best solution given time and cost restraints Examples of engineered products include pencils, shoes, cell phones, processes (e.g. to clean water), new medicines and software

Why the need for Engineers? America needs engineers We need to reach and ignite students when they are young. This is an opportune time because children’s curiosities are high and they are natural explorers. Students need to understand that engineering is a process that can be used in daily life and lead to a variety of career options. Teacher resource: NASA BEST video series on the Engineering Design Process (focused around a classroom activity for building a balloon powered “rocket”: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/best/edp.html -- in particular see the series introduction about engineering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0wh4GxoL28&list=PLiuUQ9asub3TqAiPRqhOjudMTPeMzwPtL&index=5

EDP is an Iterative Process Engineering is a cyclical process that continues indefinitely. Think of the engineering of your phone. What did phones look like 10 year ago? 20 years ago? The process can start with Ask, but can start with any step Source: NASA, University of Maryland Baltimore Academy

STEP 1: ASK! Watch NASA BEST video #2: Take notes. Overview: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/best/edp.html Overview: Clarify the problem Know your constraints Find knowledge of what other people have done in the past Conditions and limitations Understand the problem 4

STEP 2: IMAGINE! Watch NASA BEST video #3: Take notes. Overview: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/best/edp.html Overview: Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem No ideas are bad (at this time) Students need training in brainstorming Don’t spend too much time here

STEP 3: PLAN! Watch NASA BEST video #4: Take notes. Overview: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/best/edp.html Overview: Chose one idea that is doable, testable, and practical Draw a design of your prototype that is usable List materials that are obtainable, affordable, and safe Teaching strategy. Show students materials they can use to create the Plan, but do not distribute to students until they develop a plan.

STEP 4: CREATE! Watch NASA BEST video #5: Take notes. Overview http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/best/edp.html Overview Follows the design to create the prototype Make sure to stay within the constraints Add anything missing to your design to make it work, but keep track of changes. 7

STEP 5: EXPERIMENT! Watch NASA BEST video #6: Take notes. Overview http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/best/edp.html Overview Test your prototype Collect and record data Analyze data to see changes in patterns and relationships 8

STEP 6: IMPROVE! Watch NASA BEST video #7: Take notes. Overview http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/best/edp.html Overview Review and analyze the results from data Repeat the EDP to optimize your product 9

Engineering Design Challenge (sample) You are stranded on the top of a cliff and there is only one way to safety...over the edge! You have limited supplies and time is of the essence. Design a device using your supplies (sheet of paper) to safely transport yourself (binder clip) from the top of the cliff (6 feet) to the boat below. The slower you fall, the safer you are! Have people experience STEM rather than listen to facts. Give participants around 10 minutes to explore/design their device.

Constraints In your group, using the same materials, you will discuss, decide, and then design a device to transport you down the cliff to the safety of the beach. Safely landing means: You land on the beach (27" x 16"paper) To increase survival chances the falling time with paper should be half the speed of just the binder clip = =

How the EDP compares to the Scientific Inquiry Process (SIP)